Compositions and methods for treating asthma and other lung diseases

Abstract

The present invention provides methods for dilating the bronchi or bronchioles and relaxing a pulmonary smooth muscle in a subject by treating the subject with a pharmaceutical composition, which includes a Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor. The ability to dilate the bronchi or bronchioles and relax a pulmonary smooth muscle according to the methods of the invention allows treating, alleviating, or inhibiting bronchoconstrictive diseases or disorders and symptoms associated or derived from bronchoconstrictive diseases.

1 .- 29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . A method of ameliorating the symptoms associated with a bronchoconstrictive disorder in a subject, comprising the step of administering to said subject a composition comprising a histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor, thereby ameliorating the symptoms associated with a bronchoconstrictive disorder. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein inflammation associated with said bronchoconstrictive is not reduced by said HDAC inhibitor. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein said bronchoconstrictive disorder is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein said COPD is emphysema, bronchitis, Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (COLD), Chronic Airflow Obstruction (CAO), or Chronic Airflow Limitation (CAL). 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein said HDAC inhibitor is a pulmonary smooth muscle relaxant. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein said HDAC inhibitor does not affect lung inflammation. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein said HDAC inhibitor is a hyroxamic acid. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein said HDAC inhibitor is Trichostatin A (TSA). 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein said HDAC inhibitor is Vorinostat (SAHA). 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein said composition is an oral pharmaceutical composition. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein said oral pharmaceutical composition is a pill, a capsule, a tablet, a granule, a suspension, a solution, or a powder. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein said composition further comprises a steroid, a beta2 agonist, ipatropium bromide, theophylline, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein said steroid is dexamethasone. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein said composition comprising a HDAC inhibitor is administered at a dose of 0.1 mg/kg to 5 mg/kg. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein said symptoms comprises dyspnea, dynamic hyperinflation, wheezing, chest tightness, cough, hypoxemia, hypercarbia, acidosis, bronchospasm, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein said subject is insensitive to steroid treatment. 
     
     
         46 .- 90 . (canceled)